The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McLeish refuses to cheapen role
Mulgrew ‘honoured’ after being handed captain’s armband as Scotland enter new era tonight
The Scotland captaincy will not be cheapened by being passed from one player to another.
Charlie Mulgrew holds the armband for tonight’s game against Costa Rica and manager Alex McLeish refuses to cheapen the honour by picking names at random.
Former Celtic, Dundee United and Aberdeen defender Mulgrew will be skipper for tonight and there may be another in place for Tuesday’s friendly against Hungary in Budapest.
A long-term appointee is likely to be made by the time Scotland next play a competitive fixture, which is in September against Albania at the start of the Uefa Nations League.
McLeish said: “The captain is very important. At some clubs they appoint a captain on experience, other clubs use a captain who is setting an example by the way he plays even if he’s not a communicator.
“We’ve seen examples of that. But I quite like the fact it is a defender looking at everything who can organise and communicate. I do like a captain who can communicate.
“It is an honour to be captain and I always remember when Willie Miller was out of the Aberdeen team and I was captain.
“Willie had been captain for so long that he was just called ‘skipper’, that was his nickname. To be pulling on the armband after him was something I was really proud about. There is still that pride, especially with the national team, so the captaincy won’t be bandied about.”
Nine uncapped players could make their debuts tonight, including Aberdeen’s Kirriemuir-born defender Scott McKenna, Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Barnsley’s on-loan striker Oli McBurnie. Dons Kenny McLean and Ryan Christie could also feature, with McLeish hinting at least three new caps may start.
Former Aberdeen defender McLeish is keen to see how his new charges fare and insists the door has not been closed on anyone left out of the current squad.
McLeish added: “They are maybe hurting a bit that they aren’t in the squad but they aren’t out of the plans – no one is. But we have to do this. I want to see how these players handle it.”
Heart can also be taken by nations like Costa Rica, who made the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals, and Iceland’s backto-back qualification for major tournaments, in Scotland’s quest to end their 20-year absence from a finals.
McLeish said: “We have seen the rise of a lot of the small countries that qualified for the last Euros. It is there for these guys. We are definitely capable of doing it. But they must believe.”
Meanwhile donning the captain’s armband for Scotland is as big an honour to Mulgrew as leading out his boyhood club Celtic.
His experience and a “been there, done that” CV proved the tipping point for McLeish in handing the defender the armband for tomorrow at least.
A relative latecomer to the international scene, Mulgrew was handed his international debut a week before his 26th birthday, starting in a 1-1 draw against Slovenia under Craig Levein.
He swept the board at domestic level with Celtic, played in the Champions League win against Barcelona and recently endured relegation to England’s third tier with Blackburn Rovers.
Captaining his country was one thing missing from the list – until now.
He said: “He (Alex McLeish) told me just before training I’d be captain and it’s a real honour for me. I didn’t have a clue – training has been a really good standard and everyone is looking good.
“I was delighted to get the news and it’s something growing up, playing for Scotland, that’s massive for me.
“Growing up supporting Celtic, it was massive for me to captain them. This is right up there.
“I always believed in my ability that I would be able to play for my country. I played through the age groups but didn’t play for the senior squad until I was 24.
“You do doubt yourself at times and think it might never come but, thankfully, it did. I cherish each time I get called up and train like it’s my last session.
“Every time I get called up I don’t take it for granted. I look at the squad to see if my name is there and I’m honoured when it is.”
“Scott Brown is the most notable captain I’ve played for but I just try to be myself. If you try to be someone else, people see through that quickly.
“Keeping the squad together, being vocal before and during the game; there are a few boys who are vocal in training and put their point across.
“Hopefully, I can lead by example by the way I play as well.”